France calls for Europe-wide pact on illegal immigrants

France has called for a Europe-wide pact to keep illegal immigrants out.

The country plans to make immigration controls a priority when it takes over the presidency of the European Union next year.

Immigration minister Brice Hortefeux said a pact could commit governments to step up border controls, reject amnesties for non-residents and agree a common policy on reuniting families.

"We must also work toward harmonising our asylum regulations," said Mr Hortefeux.

The minister will next month present to the French parliament a bill that will make it harder for the families of immigrants to be reunited in France.

Under the measure, family members will be given a French language test and have to agree to a two-month language course before receiving a residency permit.

Mr Hortefeux said he also wanted to stem illegal immigration at source. He is asking at least 20 African states to make a pledge to stop residents leaving permanently by 2009.

He said an agreement was under negotiation with the Congo Republic and he planned discussions with other countries.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has long been an advocate of immigration controls. He deported some 25,000 foreigners per year while he was interior minister.

The president said he wanted to open a debate on immigration quotas. "It's not an issue of setting quotas for the number of immigrants from Africa, the Arab world or Asia," a government spokesman quoted Mr Sarkozy as telling ministers.

"It is a legitimate question: How many farm workers, engineers, computer experts and technicians do we want?"

Mr Sarkozy also said that he wanted to make France's 35-hour working week more flexible to increase competition and bring down consumer prices.

He said that he had no intention to wait with crossed arms for an improvement in international growth.